Two London woman who rely on dialysis to live are calling out the Ford government for controversial changes to Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) coverage that they say would virtually prevent them from leaving the country.
Bonnie Field, 64, and Emma Klotz, 50, both suffer from kidney disease that requires them to spend several hours each week undergoing the procedure to remove waste products and excess fluids from their blood. It's a process that Klotz, a single mother of two teen boys, said takes both a physical and psychological toll. Three times a week for the past three years, she has had to go to University Hospital where 17 gauge needles are inserted into her arm so her blood can be cleaned by a machine.
Field was diagnosed with kidney failure 15 years ago, has undergone two failed kidney transplants, and as a result had a fistula inserted for home dialysis.
While neither woman has much opportunity to travel to other countries, when the chance does arise, whether it be for work, to see family, or a vacation, they want to be able to go. But under proposed new changes to OHIP, the out-of-country travellers program, which reimburses Ontarians who undergo a medical procedure while outside of Canada between $200 to $400 a day, will be cancelled October 1.
The proposed amendment to OHIP coverage, announced by the province last month, would mean Field and Klotz would have to cover 100 per cent of the cost of dialysis while travelling abroad. Dialysis treatment costs for one week vary with Field paying $1,300 during a recent vacation to Florida and Klotz set to shell out $4,800 when she travels to England in June to see relatives.
"I am asking the Ford government to seriously consider the impact this policy change will have on people like me. People, who despite chronic illness, try to have a small taste of normalcy for both themselves and their families," said Klotz. "I saved and saved for this trip because I just want something normal."
The government has suggested the change is of little consequence as the bulk of Ontarians travelling to other countries obtain private travel health insurance before hand. However, dialysis treatments aren't covered by private insurers because kidney disease is considered a pre-existing condition.
"Although the cost of dialysis has continued to increase - while for 20 years out-of-country payments have not - we have been willing to accept that. But now we will receive nothing and we do not accept that," said Field.
The province is said to have given Ontarians just six days to weigh-in on the possible OHIP change through an online consultation process.
The plight of Field and Klotz has caught the attention of London North Centre NDP MPP Terence Kernaghan. He helped to share their story during a news conference on Friday at the London Public Library's Central branch on Dundas Street.
"Under OHIP's current coverage, folks getting dialysis while traveling outside Canada are reimbursed $210 by OHIP for each treatment. While that amount doesn't cover the entire cost of treatment, it makes a significant difference, and can be a real financial help," said Kernaghan. "We as Canadians stand on the principle of universal health Medicare for everyone regardless of their ability to pay and this shortsighted decision really leaves people out in the cold... This is unfair, this is not right, and this is not Canadian."
Kernaghan said he plans to urge Minister of Health Christine Elliott to reverse the planned cut to OHIP and is encouraging others to contact their local MPP to do the same.
"This decision has impacted so many people in a really disgraceful way," said Kernaghan. "(the province) should support the health of Ontarians regardless of whether they are here in Ontario or in another country."
